Marrowbone Lane
Marrowbone Lane is a street steeped in history, located off Cork Street on the south side of Dublin, Ireland. The name “Marrowbone Lane” likely traces back to London. The street is thought to have been named after Marylebone in London, a connection brought to Dublin by London wool-workers who settled in the area following William III’s conquest of Ireland in 1690. Marylebone, pronounced “Marrow-bone,” evolved from the name of a church, St. Mary at the Bourne. Over time, this name was corrupted to “Mary le Bone,” which translates from Middle French as “Mary the Good.” The Irish name, Lána Mhuire Mhaith, reflects this translation. By 1743, the street had taken on its current form: Marrowbone Lane.
Marrowbone Lane played a significant role during the Easter Rising of 1916, a pivotal event in Irish history. The street was the site of fierce fighting, as rebels under the command of Éamonn Ceannt used the nearby distillery as a stronghold. This force, numbering over a hundred, also held the South Dublin Union. Ceannt was later executed for his role in the Rising, but his actions, alongside those of his second-in-command Cathal Brugha, and others like W.T. Cosgrave and Joseph McGrath, left a lasting legacy. In historical accounts, the phrases “fought at Marrowbone Lane” and “fought at the South Dublin Union” are often used interchangeably, underscoring the interconnectedness of these sites during the rebellion.
In 1939, Marrowbone Lane’s legacy was immortalised in a play of the same name, written by Robert Collis. Produced and directed by Michael Mac Liammoir and Hilton Edwards, the play explored the harsh realities of tenement life in Dublin. The story centred around a young girl from Mayo who marries into a tenement family and grapples with the appalling living conditions she and her child face.
The mid-17th century saw Marrowbone Lane become home to a diverse population of linen and silk weavers, predominantly French Huguenots, Dutch, and Flemish immigrants. These skilled workers introduced a unique architectural style known as the “Dutch Billy” houses. Characterised by brick construction and distinctive features like roof ridges at right angles to the street and shared chimney stacks, these homes were once a common sight in Marrowbone Lane. However, many of these structures have since vanished, with only a few examples remaining into the 1980s.
One notable architectural highlight on Marrowbone Lane is an elegant early social housing scheme, designed by Dublin Corporation’s Housing Architect, Herbert George Simms, in the late 1930s. Simms, who served as housing architect from 1932 to 1948, was responsible for the design of around 17,000 new homes. His work on Marrowbone Lane is an excellent example of early modernist architecture, employing materials historically used in the area. The buildings, with their curved corners, respond gracefully to the curve of the street and stand as a testament to Simms’ enduring influence on Dublin’s architectural landscape.
Beneath Marrowbone Lane flows the River Poddle, a waterway with a tragic connection to the street. In the early 20th century, a resident named Catherine Duffy tragically lost her life when she fell into the river, swollen by heavy rains, while drawing water from her courtyard. Despite efforts to locate her body, it was never found. The river’s history is intertwined with the city’s development, and its course beneath Marrowbone Lane adds another layer to the street’s rich narrative.
Marrowbone Lane is more than just a street; it is a microcosm of Dublin’s history and culture. From its origins linked to London, its role in the Easter Rising, its depiction in popular culture, to its distinctive architectural heritage, Marrowbone Lane continues to be a place of historical and cultural significance. As Dublin evolves, the stories of Marrowbone Lane serve as a reminder of the city’s complex and layered past.
Association with Poddle
The City Watercourse, Abbey Stream and Commons Water all either pass underground through or closely to Marrowbone lane.
What the Newspapers Say
- On Sunday evening, Catherine Duffy, a resident of Marrowbone Lane, tragically fell into the swiftly flowing River Poddle beneath her courtyard. The river, swollen from heavy rains, claimed her life when she overbalanced while drawing water through a wooden trap. Neighbours, unable to rescue her, watched as she was swept away through a dark passage. Despite efforts to locate her body through excavations along the river’s course, it was not found. The body is believed to be trapped in the river’s winding sections, likely to be consumed by rats from nearby sewers.
- The butter buttons mentioned evoke memories of the Tongue fields, where a button factory once used waterpower from the River Poddle fifty years ago. Originating in the Dublin Mountains, the Poddle is split at Kimmage: one branch flows through Harold’s Cross and Dolphin’s Barn, while the other passes Marrowbone Lane, Pimlico, Blackpitts, and into the Liffey near Grattan Bridge. In the 18th century, the Domville family controlled this water and used their influence to prevent the hanging of their relative, Lord Santry, by threatening to cut off the water supply to Dublin.
- Liam’s drawing highlights a curious name change on Dublin’s streets. The name on Brooking’s 1728 map, possibly distorted from “St. Mary le Bourne,” refers to the Poddle stream, which flows beneath Marrowbone Lane. Historically, the Poddle or its branch ran under Marrowbone Lane, between Robert Street and Price’s Row. An early 20th-century record mentions a tragic drowning in Marrowbone Lane due to a rotting cellar floor and floodwaters from the Poddle. Additionally, Marrowbone Lane Distillery, marked on the 1847 Ordnance map at Forkes Lane, suffered a significant fire in 1875.